Crime Victims’ Compensation Program

Crime Victims And Their Families May Need Information, Resources, Or Financial Assistance. We’re Here To Help.

The Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) Program helps crime victims and their immediate families with the financial costs of crime. CVC covers crime-related costs such as counseling, medical treatment, funerals, and loss of income not paid by other sources.

CVC was created in 1979 by the Texas Legislature. Managed by the Office of the Attorney General, CVC has two primary goals:

1. Encourage greater victim participation in the apprehension and prosecution of criminals, and 

2. Reimburse innocent victims for certain costs related to the crime. 

There are two types of compensation: (1) Crime Victims’ Compensation and (2) Emergency Medical Care Compensation - Sexual Assault Exam. You can apply for either compensation with the same application. Learn more on our CVC Eligibility requirements page.

1. Victims of violent crime, their families, or others who have taken on crime-related costs on behalf of a victim, apply for compensation.
2. CVC staff review the application and other information to ensure it meets eligibility criteria. 
3. CVC verifies a crime occurred and the crime was reported to law enforcement. 
4. CVC asks applicants to provide information about crime-related costs. 
5. CVC staff review information to see what crime-related costs can be paid according to program rules.

Reimbursement for funeral costs such as:

• Professional services for funeral and burial services, flowers, caskets, urns, and grave markers
• Transportation of deceased over 50 miles

Compensation may be available for loss of earnings and travel to attend the funeral. See Loss of Earnings and Travel for more information.

Individuals who incur the cost of the funeral and burial may be eligible for compensation. If more than one person pays for the funeral, the costs will be prorated.

Compensation for funeral and burial costs is limited to $6,500 for dates of crime after July 14, 2016. For dates of crime before this, other limits will apply.

Costs for transporting the deceased over 50 miles one way is not counted towards the funeral limits. 

CVC is the last source of payment by law. All other readily available resources must pay before any payment by the program. Learn more about payment sources at Covered Costs.

As your application is being processed, be prepared to provide copies of:

• Signed, itemized funeral purchase agreement/contract
• Proof of payment if payments were made
• Death Certificate if necessary
• Burial/life insurance policy if payments were made
• Burial Transit Permit or appropriate documentation from a government agency to transport body

We will tell you what documentation to mail to CVC and when. 

To receive funds for funeral services, submit the following:

• Signed, itemized FPA
• Receipts for any payments made to the funeral home (third party payments, family member payments, etc.)
• The funeral home Tax Identification Number
• Transportation Information and Documentation*
• Cash advance items, charges from other funeral homes, etc.
• Receipts, invoices, and/or contracts if the FPA includes charges for services rendered by other providers (other funeral home, shipping services, cemeteries, air freight, etc.)
• General Price List for the funeral home may be required if CVC does not have a current copy

To receive payment for funeral services, you must submit a FPA that meets the following guidelines:

• Must be legible, contain the date of service, and be signed by the funeral home representative and a valid claimant (person accepting financial responsibility must be added to the claim by completing the claimant portion of the CVC application)
• Must be the final version of the agreement (not an estimate)
• Must be verifiable, usual and customary charges and in compliance with the Rules of the Texas Funeral Services Commission
• Revisions to the FPA must be approved by both parties and a revised FPA must be submitted with appropriate signatures

To receive reimbursement for transportation charges more than 50 miles (one-way) you must submit the following documentation:

• The start and final destination addresses for the remains including the location of the funeral (city, state, or country) and burial site
• If transportation occurred between two funeral homes, receipts and contracts from both funeral homes must be submitted
• If the body is shipped by air, a copy of the air bill (listing the victim’s name) must be submitted
• If the body is transported to another state or country, you must include the Burial Transit Permit (VS-116) or appropriate documentation from a government agency to transport body 

All documentation should be sent to CVC: 

Crime Victim Services
P.O. Box 12198

Austin, Texas 78711-2198

Click here for more information

Click here to apply for compensation

If there is anything we can do to assist you with the application process – such as by ordering copies of a death certificate or providing copies of receipts or contracts showing the expenses you incurred – please call or text us at 713-223-1167